Sarabjit's items reach home, diary missing

The family said that some of his possessions, especially the diary that he wrote in 22 years of captivity in Pakistan, were not among the things returned to the kin.

The items, loaded in three boxes, were brought to the border gates, 30 km from Amritsar, by the Indian High Commission officials from Islamabad. These had been handed over to them by Pakistani authorities earlier.

Finally home: Sukhpreet Kaur, widow of Sarabjit Singh, weeps over the returned belongings of her late husband, while daughter Swapandip looks on. Pic/AFP

Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur, wife Sukhpreet and daughters Swapandeep and Poonam, along with other relatives and villagers from Bhikhiwind in Punjab received the belongings. The family could be seen in tears as the members saw the belongings.

“I had longed for the day to receive Sarabjit at the border gate. But he was killed before that could happen. The Pakistani authorities betrayed us,” Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur said in a choked voice.

“I appeal to the government of India to ensure that his diary is returned by the Pakistani authorities,” she added.

The items were handed over after Customs officials checked them. The belongings included his wrist watch, blanket, clothes, spectacles and other items.